Segregating system



H. R.'BRAND.

SEGREGATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 17. 1919.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I- Jkvenioz with, thus I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARRY RUSSELL BRAND, on NEW from N. Y

Specification of Letters Patent.

' snennen'rme srsTnu- Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

Application filed March 17, 1919. Serial No. 283,221.

certain new and useful Improvements in Segregating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in segregating systems,

of that general class wherein means are provided for readilyselecting or designating the cards or units in the system according to the desired classifications.

The present invention has for its objects, among others, to provide an improved system of this type in which slots are dispensed greatly increasing the capacity of the card. I

It has as a further object a segregating system that does not dependiupon gravity, which causes inaccuracies on account of Y friction with sustaining rods, tight-fitting container, or slots.

It has for a further object to' avoid the necessity of having to turn the box or container upside down, and to make the selective operation positive and accurate, as no card or .unit can be missed or actuated or moved except in the proper predetermined way. I t It has for a further object to provide a system of this kind which shall be cheap of manufacture, yet eflicient and reliable in operation.

It has for a further object to dispense with the necessity of purchasing an expensive cabinet, and this I accomplish by making m box or container so that it may be fitted within the drawer of any ordinary cabinet or article of office furniture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter ap ear, and the novel features thereof will e specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention, in its preferred form, is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my box or container, with the cards removed.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section through the container with a card and rod shown in position. i

Fig. is a vertical longitudinal section as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing cards in a number of the compartments of the container.

F 4 is an elevation of one of the cards.

Fig. 5 1s a cross sectional detail showing one means of elevating a card.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the means of after it has been selected.

Llke numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

I make the container or receptacle in a variety of sizes, according to requirements, and may make it of metal or wood, or a combination of these or .other materials. It is designed to make the container so that it will fit into the inside of a regular ordinary cabinet drawer, or other place, so that the user will 'not be required to purchase any special or expensive cabinet for this purpose.

It will be understood that the principal purpose for which this'system is to be used is to readily select classified information contained in a card index and thus eliminate the need of duplicating cards and the use of what is commonly known as a cross index. The possible classified subjects of information on each card or unit are represented by holes, or combinations of holes, in said card elevating a card v or unit. Particular desired characteristic information on each card or unit is represented by. a stop or reinforcement placed over the particular hole or holes representing said information. A receptacle or container, fitted to receive said cards or units is provided, together with a selecting rod for obtaining the particular classified information by impact of the said selecting rod with the card or unit.

In some cases of large installations of this system, as government oflices, bureaus and formed at suitable distances from the tops and sides of the cards but in no particular alinement. The cards may have any dethe receptacle.

sired number of holes which can be as close together as the strength of the material will permit. Each of these holes will have a standard number and will retain such in all the different systems in which they may be used, for whatever purpose.

The receptacle may be of any required dimensions. It need have no bottom. I

provide the same with any desired number of partitions, which will be provided with holes to correspond with holes in the front and back of the container or receptacle, and with the holes in the cards so that the cen ter of the holes in said ends and partitions will line up with the centers of the holes in the cards. The holes in the receptacle and partition are smaller than those in the cards, so that there will be no contact of the rod with the cards, and no liability of in jury, by theinsertion of the rod, hereinafter described. Each hole in the card will indicate some condition which can be selected by the said rod. After the cards have been provided with the holes and prepared to furnish whatever information or data required by the system, they are placed in No more cards are used than will allow of the required freedom of movement of the cards in the receptacle, both longitudinally and vertically, so that they may be moved from a vertical to an inclined position when selected, or from side to side, and then elevated by hand, or other means, the form of which will be hereinafter described. The cards thus placed in the box are ready for use by the selecting principle now to be'described.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a box or receptacle which may be of any desired form and construction, being preferably made substantially as herein shown, consisting of two sides 1 and 2, either of which may be of transparent material, if desired, so that the contents may be readily viewed from the side, or either side may be slotted, for the same purpose; and the two ends 3 and 4. These may be of wood or metal, as may be found most expedient, and they are connectedtogether to form the box or receptacle of the required dimensions, in any suitable manner. There may be a bottom, or it may be practically bottomless, suitable means being provided to prevent the cards from falling out of the box. In

the present instance I have shown the sides and ends as supported by and secured to the side members 5, 5, of wood, which serve to prevent fall of the cards.

6 are partitions held within the box in any suitable manner and spaced apart any required distance. The number of these partitions may vary according to existing conditions. As shown, these partitions are notched at their lower ends to engage over the longitudinal side members 5, as seen at 7 but this is not essential. These partitions may be fixed in position or rendered adjustable to vary the capacity of the compartments formed thereby.

The ends 3 and 4 of the box are provided with a plurality of coincident holes 8 and 9, as seen clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, for a purpose soon to be made clear. The partitions are provided with a like series of coincident holes 10, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, which holes are coincident with the holes in the front and back ends.

This box or container is complete in itself. It is designed to be made any size and shape 1n accordance with the wishes of the user,

or the cabinet, or other place where it is to movement as may be required to allow the cards to be manipulated in the proper way, without friction. The material of which the cards or units are formed is not essential. They are shown in the present instance as provided at the lower corners with notches 12 to engage over the side members 5, as seen clearly in Fig. 2, although this is not essential, but a convenient way of supporting the cards and preventing their falling, and enabling one to dispense with the employment of a bottom to the box, thus saving in material, cost of production, and weight.

Each card is provided with a plurality of holes, the number on a single card being determined by the circumstances under which the card is to be used and the sizeof the card. These holes 13 are disposed so as to be in alinement with the holes in the ends and partitions, as shown in Fig. 3, so that when the cards are placed in the box, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the holes of the ends, partitions and cards will be in proper alinement, for a purpose which will be apparent.

Each card is designed to bear suitable indicia, of which those shown on the card in Fig. 2 are but a portion; these indicia vary according to the character of the work for which the system is employed.

14 is a rod by which the selection of the card is made. It is fitted to slide readily through the holes in the end of the box and through the holes in the cards and the partitions, as will be readily understood from Fig. 3. Each card has a number, one or more, of its holes closed, in any suitable 'manner, so as to form a stop or abutment for the rod, so that it cannot pass through the hole, for a purpose which will soon be explained. In the present instance, I have shown the desired holes in the cards blocked to the passage of the rod by a member 15 which may be of any suitable material, preferably some'thin stout substance occupying but little room and yet sufficiently strongto resist the movement of the rod. This stop may be afiixed in any of the well-known or approved ways. In case it is desired to provide means for elevating a card after it has been selected, I provide this stop or abutment with an opening 16, as seen best in Figs. 4 and 5, for the reception of a teat or the like 17 on the end'of the rod, as seen best in Fig. 6. i

In operation, the cards having been placed in the box, in one or more or all of the compartments thereof, the rod 14 is inserted in the proper hole in'the front end of the box and pushed inward until it strikes a stop, or abutment. Pressure inward on the rod will tend to push all of the cards back of the one bearing the stop or abutment that has been engaged by the end of the rod, into an inclined position, as seen at the rear of the compartment in Fig. 3, thus readily indicating the position of the desired card, which may then readily be raised or entirely removed by hand, or, if desired, it may be elevated sufficiently for the purpose by engaging the teat 17 of the end of the rod in; the opening 16 and partially revolving the rod which will elevate the card, as seen in Fig. 5. The card being normally in position so that the opening 16 will be at the bottom and centrally located with reference to the vertical axis ofthe opening in the card, and the rod inserted with its 'teat lowermost the teat will be sure to enter the opening 16 so that partial rotation of the rod will elevate the card. The teat may be readily disengaged from the opening 16 by withdrawing .the rod endwise, so that the card may be readily removed, if desired.

Attention is called to the fact that the rod' does not engage the cards or units through which it passes, but is free from contact therewith, engaging only the card which has the stop or abutment in the path of the rod. This card which bears the stop or abutment is the only one in the box that is moved; the others retain their normal position within the box, undisturbed.

Attention is further called to the fact that in the operation of the device all of the cards or units maintain their original position, fixed relatively to the members 5, 5 of the box or container and that during the inward movement of the rod the relative position of the cards or units is unchanged, the said cards or units being at no time supported by said rod. The rod does not engage or contact with any. card or unit except the one bearing the stop or abutment against which the end of the rod impinges. There is no dropping or other movement of the cards or units through which the rod passes, the only'card or unit being moved is the one against which the end of the rod is brought into contact.

Modifications in details maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. I

' What I claim as new is 1. The method of sorting a vertically-disposed unit or units from a plurality of associated units, which comprises selecting the desired unitby pressure thereupon in adirection parallel with the line of movement 3. The method of sorting vertically-dis-' posed units from a plurality of associated units having differentiating means, which comprises impeding the movement of' the selecting means by impact with said differentiating means and moving the selected unit in a direction substantially at right angles to the vertical plane of the unit.

4. The method of sorting a vertically-disposed unit or units from a plurality of asso ciated'units having differentiating characeristics, which comprises selecting the desired unit byimpact thereupon impeding the movement of the selecting means.

The method of sorting a vertically-disposed unitor units from a plurality of associated units having differentiating characteristics, which comprises supporting all of pact thereupon, impeding the movementof the selecting means.

6. The method of sorting a vertically-disposed unit or units from a'plurality of'associatedunits having differentiating characv teristics, which comprises supporting all of the units independently of the selecting means and normally at all times out of engagement therewith, and selecting the desired unit by impact thereupon at substantially right angles to the vertical plane of the unit.

7. The method of segregating a verticallydisposed unit or units from a plurality of associated units,-consisting-of providing all of said units with alined openings some of which are provided with impediments to the passage of the selecting means, passing sethe units independently of the selecting means and selecting the desired unit by imlecting means through one or more of said openings while supporting all of the units entirely independently of the selecting means.

8. The method of segregating a verticallydisposed unit or units from a plurality of associated units, consisting of providing all of said units with alined openings some of which are provided with impediments to the passage of the selecting means, passing selecting means through one or more of said openings while supporting all of the units entirely independently of the selecting means and. normally at all times out of engagement therewith.

9. The method of segregating a verticallydisposed unit or units from a plurality of associated units, consisting of providing all of said units with alined openings some of which are provided with impediments to the passage of selecting means, passing selecting means through one or more of said openings while supporting all of the units entirely independently of the selecting means and normally at all times out ofengagement therewith and selecting and moving at right angles to its vertical plane the desired unit by impact of the selecting means thereupon impeding the movement of the selecting means.

10. The method of segregating a vertically-disposed unit or units from a plurality of associated units, consisting of providing all of said units with alined openings some of which are provided with impediments to the passage of the selecting means, passing selecting means through one or more of said openings while supporting all of the units entirely independently of the selecting means and normally at all times out of engagement therewith and selecting the desired unit by impact of the selecting means there upon and positively moving the selected unit out of alined position with the other units by the selecting means.

11. A segregation system including a plurality of units, said units being provided with series of alined openings some of which are provided with stops, and a selecting rod extended through alined openings in said units and adapted to engage a stop to select the required unit.

12. A segregation system including a plurality of units, said units being provided with openings, means closing predetermined openings, and a selecting member insertible through alined openings of said units and adapted to select a unit by impact with its closing means;

13. A segregation system including a plurality of units, said units being provided with openings, means closing predetermined openings, and a selecting member insertible through alined openings of said units and adapted to select a unit by impact with its I closing means, said selecting member and closing means constructed to cooperate to elevate the selected unit.

- 14. A card for use in a segregating system provided with a series of holes for the passage of a selecting rod, and with pre-ar-- ranged impediments over some of said holes to the passage of said rod.

15. A card for use in a segregating system provided with a series of holes and means closing some of said holes for impact therewith of selecting means.

16. A card for use in a segregating system provided with a series of holes and means closing some of said holes for impact there with of selecting means, said closing means having provision for cooperation with the selecting means to bodily move the card.

17. A card for use in a segregating system providedqvith a plurality of holes and an abutment over one of said holes, said abutment having an opening, and a selecting rod having a projection engageable with said openin 18. card for use in a segregating system provided with a plurality of holes and an abutment over one of said holes, said abutment having an opening, and a selecting rod having a projection engageable with said opening and relatively rotatable to elevate said card.

19. A container, vertically movable cardstherein free. for bodily removability therefrom when the selecting device is removed, said cards having openings therein arranged for purposes of selection, and a removable selecting device common to all of said cards and bodily movable endwise through said openings for endwise impact against the selected card.

20. The method of selecting a unit from a plurality of perforated units which consists in passing a selector through perforations in some of said units and engaging the desired unit ecoentrically to the latter perforations and impacting the unit and rotating the selector to raise the selected unit from the plane of the other units.

21, The herein described method of segregation, which consists in selecting a unit from a plurality of units by impact of a selector member, and then, by rotation of the selector, moving the selected unit out of the sulting from impact of an endwise impeded selector element against an altered perfora tion.

, tive directions in a single plane, said selector being detachably arranged" for a plurality of selections.

25. The method of sorting a unit or units from a plurality of associated units, which comprises selecting the desired unit by impact of a selector thereupon in varying relative directions in a single plane, said selector comprising a single insertible element adapted to make a plurality of different or like selections.

26. The method of segregating a unit from a plurality of units, all of which carry predetermined characteristics, which consists in preparing such units, each of which has corresponding and alined openings, so that one or more of said openings in one or more of said units are adapted to present a surface for receiving impact thereupon, placing the units in a container, said container having one or more ends and a support therefor, said ends \having openings corresponding to and in alinement with, the openings in the unit, inserting means in such container openings as correspond to a characteristic to be selected, impacting said means against such a unit as prevents free passage, and separatin said unit from the unit adjacent to the side of the impacted unit that is presented to the approach of said impact means.

27'. The method of selecting a unit from i a plurality of associated units, each of said units having openings, one or more of said openings having been altered, which consists in passing a selectormember through alined openings in certain of the units. and impacting the same against an altered openilig.

28. card for use in a segregating system 24. The method of sorting a unit or units from a plurality of associated units, which provided with a series of openings, one or more-of said openings having provision to preventpassage of selecting means.

29. A card for use in a segregating system provided with a series of openings, corresponding to. predetermined characteristics, one or more of said openings having provi- 'sion to present an impact, receiving surface.

30. A unit segregatingsystem having in combination a containenprovided with an end in which there are a plurality of openings, any or all of which represent predetermined characteristics, partitions in said container each of which is provided with openings corresponding to and in alinement with openings in the container, a plurality of units each of which is provided with openings bearing such relation, one with another, as will result in alinement with container' openings when properly positioned in said container, means adapting said openings for cooperation with selecting means, means in said container to preserve the alined relations of container and unit openings, and means adapted to act in the direction of the axis of openings to select by pressure such unit as prevents a free passage to said means.

31. The method of segregating, which consists in applying a removable selector, and giving it endwise movement through perforations in units to select a non-perforated unit b impact thereagainst.

32. he method of segregating, which consists in applying a removable selector, and giving it endwise movement through perforations in units to select a selector-impeding unit by impact thereagainst and raising the selected unit by rotation of the selector.

33. A container, a multiplicity of independently supported units therein, and a removable selector cooperable .with all ofv 

